what is cheaper? rail pass or point-to-point

a good idea.

Actually, the new eurail Selectpass would allow for 5 days of travel in 3 countries: (France, Germany, Switzerland) for $328. And it's first class. The advantage here is that you are not restricted to times of day as you would be if you were pushing hard to get the cheapest trains, you can pretty much hop on any train without reservations and find very comfortable seating (because it's first class), and you don't ever have to stop at the counter to buy tickets or make reservations (unless you want to reserve an overnight couchette or sleeper). The DISadvantage is that the fastest routes Paris-Hamburg cut through Belgium. You would have to go to the counter and cough up another $30 or so to sit in the 2nd class compartment during the Belgium portion of the trip

Depending on how much time you have, and on your personality, day-time trains might be a good choise as you can follow the changes of the landscape and maybe will get in contact with travelling Europeans/ Germans/ locals... Don't worry about the language. There are plenty enough of people who speak English well enough for social conversations. Some are fond of taking the opportunity to practise their school-English, others are curious on visiting foreigners. )